Smart Ways to Use Citric Acid Around the Home

Citric acid is a surprisingly powerful natural cleaner. Popular in Europe, this versatile product is great for removing limescale, hard water stains and mineral buildup. “Citric acid can descale an electric kettle, remove spots from glass and even shine up stainless-steel sinks,” says Sofia Martinez, cleaning expert and owner of Sparkly Maid Austin.

It’s inexpensive, too, and safe for use on most surfaces. Read on for some of the best ways to use citric acid around the house, with expert-backed tips from professional cleaners Martinez, Enrique Gonzalez of Seattle Green Cleaning Fairy and Terry Klymkiv of Alpha Cleaning Company.

What Is Citric Acid?

Citric acid is a naturally occurring acid found in citrus fruits, that can also be manufactured for use as a preservative, food ingredient and cleaning agent. Purchase it at your local grocery or hardware store in powder or crystalline form.

Ways to Use Citric Acid Around the Home

Citric acid’s superpower is removing water mineral deposits, but it has a host of other uses as well. It is an acidic cleaner, so test it first in an inconspicuous place and consult the manufacturer’s instructions before using it on metal-finish fixtures. 

Descale a coffee maker

Coffee makers develop scale as minerals separate from heated water through and build up to form a white crust over time. Use citric acid to easily descale and return back to its original condition. “Add one to two tablespoons of citric acid to a full tank of water. Run one brewing cycle and then two cycles using just plain water,” Gonzalez says. Descale an Electric Kettle

A useful countertop appliance to quickly boil water, electric kettles also develop scale over time. To descale, fill the kettle with water, then add one to two tablespoons of citric acid. Bring the water to a boil, then let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. To rinse the citric acid from the kettle, Gonzalez says to empty,, rinse, then boil clean water again and discard. 

Remove hard-water buildup from faucets

Keeping hard water stains off of bathroom and kitchen faucets can feel like a full time job, but use citric acid for faster work times. Mix one to two teaspoons of citric acid to one cup of warm water, then apply with a soft, damp cloth. Martinez suggests leaving it to sit for three to five minutes before wiping away, and dry when done to avoid new spots. A word of caution: 

Clean shower heads

Remove mineral build-up from shower head spray holes by soaking showerheads in a citric acid solution. “Dissolve a tablespoon of citric acid in two cups of warm water and soak your shower head,” Martinez says. Rinse with clean water when finished, then run hot water through the showerhead to remove any remaining deposits.

Tackle soap scum in the shower

Soap scum deposits can be challenging to clean, so let the citric acid mixture sit for best results.  Mix one teaspoon of citric acid in one cup of warm water. “Place cloth or sponge soaked in the solution over the area where mineral deposits have formed,” Gonzalez says, then allow it to sit for five to 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. After rinsing, dry the surface completely. Gonzalez recommends avoiding using this technique on marble surfaces. 

Remove hard-water spots from shower glass

Hard water spots are notoriously difficult to remove from glass shower doors, but citric acid cuts through them for easy cleaning. “Mix one tablespoon of citric acid to two cups of warm water and apply to hard-water spots with a spray bottle, Martinez says. “Allow the citric acid to sit on the hard-water stains for up to five minutes without letting it dry, then wipe away with a clean, damp, nonabrasive rag or sponge.” For a streak-free finish, squeegee or buff the glass right away.  

Clean a dishwasher

Hard water stains, food build-up and detergent films can make a mess of any dishwasher. Gonzalez recommends first cleaning the filter at the bottom of the dishwasher tub, then running a cycle with citric acid. “Place a couple of tablespoons of citric acid in a small bowl and place the bowl on the uppermost rack in your empty dishwasher,” he says. “Then run it on a hot cycle.” 

Remove rust stains

Rust stains develop from high levels of iron in your water or from wet metal objects left on bathroom surfaces. For these tough to remove stains, you’ll want to make a paste of citric acid and water. “Apply the paste to the rust stain and let it sit for twenty minutes,” Klymkiv says. “Scrub gently with a soft brush and rinse.” Repeat these steps until the stain is removed. 

Clean stainless steel sinks

Citric acid removes hard water stains or even small rust spots on stainless steel sinks and appliances. First, mix one teaspoon of citric acid in one cup of warm water. “Apply to hard-water spots with a dampened microfiber cloth, wiping in the same direction as the grain of the stainless-steel,” Martinez says. “Allow to sit for two to three minutes, rinse and immediately dry to prevent new spots from forming.”  

Clean toilets

“This is the easiest and probably my favorite tip,” Klymkiv says. “Add two to three tablespoons of citric acid powder directly into the toilet bowl. Let it sit for at least thirty minutes or even overnight. The acid dissolves mineral deposits without unpleasant fumes of chemical bowl cleaners. Scrub with a toilet brush and flush.”  

Where You Should Not Use Citric Acid

While citric acid is an amazing cleaning agent, it is corrosive so use it with care. Avoid using it on: 

• Natural stone surfaces like marble or granite: It can etch or discolor these materials. 
• Finished wood surfaces like furniture or floors: Citric acid will strip away protective wax or polish and leave a dull, cloudy residue. 
• Electronics screens: The screens on modern tvs, computers and cell phones have an oil-repelling coating that can be removed or damaged by citric acid. 
• Certain metals: Always test citric acid in an inconspicuous place first when applying to metals, as it can tarnish the finish. Especially avoid using it on brass, aluminum and copper. 

Citric Acid Cleaning Tips

Patience is a virtue when cleaning with citrus acid, as it does take time to work its cleaning magic. It’s not a product to apply and immediately wipe away. When applying to vertical surfaces, mix a thicker paste that will resist dripping and try to prevent it from drying out during wait times. For the best results, always dissolve citric acid in warm or hot water and only mix as much as you can use in a two-week period, as it will mold if left to sit for too long. “Citric acid should be handled with gloves and without inhaling the powder,” Martinez adds. 

FAQ

Can you put citric acid in a spray bottle?

You can, but pre-mix the water and citric acid first to ensure it’s fully dissolved. “Label and date the spray bottle, store it out of reach of children and pets, and never store it in a former beverage container,” Martinez says.  

Can citric acid damage stainless steel?

“Stronger concentrations of citric acid or leaving it to sit for long periods of time can discolor or damage some types of stainless-steel surfaces,” Martinez says. “Always check with your manufacturer if your appliance or fixture is coated or has a fingerprint-resistant finish.”

What should you never mix with citric acid?

Citric acid should never be mixed with bleach as it creates toxic chlorine gas. 

About the Experts

• Terry Klymkiv is owner of Alpha Cleaning Company, a commercial cleaning company in Schaumburg, Illinois. 
• Enrique Gonzalez is an expert home cleaner and owner of Seattle Green Cleaning Fairy, a full-service residential cleaning company. 
• Sofia Martinez is a professional cleaner and owner of Sparkly Maid Austin in Texas. 

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